Building Your Wardrobe | 10 Basics You Need In Your Closet!

Hi friends! 

**DISCLAIMER: The into to this post is long. If you'd like to skip to the actual "10 basics you need in your closet" part of this post, just scroll on down to the first large heading and begin there. OR skip all of the reading and scroll all the way down to watch my VIDEO!**

This series is something I've been wanting to create for some time now and I'm so excited to bring you the first post today! This type of post is a change from my usual content, but will be a useful tool you can return to time and time again, so make sure to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss any part of the series, or bookmark this page so you can check back for the next posts if you'd like! 

As this is the first post I'm publishing in the "building your wardrobe" series I wanted to give a little bit of info on what the entire thing is going going to be about. Obviously I love fashion, and the whole idea behind me creating this blog initially was to give you all some insight into the thoughtful decision making behind my personal style and the reasons why I choose to wear what I wear, as well as how I generally put together an outfit based around a specific item (or items). 

Sooo... this series. I've been doing a lot of thinking about the amount of STUFF that I have in my closet. A lot of it I don't wear, let alone even think about and it is just filling up space that I could be using for much more important things, or even just space to BREATHE. I wanted to simplify my life this year and that means getting rid of the extra junk, and having a clean slate, a fresh start to the year and to my life! This series is going to basically chronicle me starting my wardrobe from the ground up... and no, this does not mean I'm throwing everything away and starting from scratch, but I will be more intentional with my purchases and I'm going to be better about buying things that I actually want vs. things that I think others would enjoy seeing on my Instagram. No one wants to see the same sweater on me as they've already seen on 9 trillion other bloggers.

I am going to re-build my wardrobe, starting with items I own, and getting rid of items that don't work, while categorizing things into guides for you all to easily follow along and do the same thing if you wish! Does that make sense? I'm basically pretending I have nothing and then shopping my own closet to decide what I need and don't need, being intentional with what I'm keeping and buying new, and really focusing on items that I love and need vs. items that I'm buying just because I think someone might like to see it in an Instagram post.

JEEEEZ this sounds RAMBLE-Y. If you have Q's leave 'em in the comments. I'm sure this is going to end up confusing AF.

This first article is going to be about the 10 basics you need to make sure you have in your closed that will build the foundation to any wardrobe. These pieces are fundamentals that you can mix and match with anything and create a million outfits with. They are basic items that will never go out of style and pieces that you feel and look amazing wearing. The specific garments I'm showing you are the items that work well for ME. This list is a general guideline to follow, I am by no means an expert, this is just my opinion, not the gospel! So take from it what you will, but I hope you do gain at least a nugget of good information from this whole thing! All right, here we go!

[PS. This is in no particular order, every item is just as important as the others in the list.]

[PPS. Remember, this is a bare bones list of basics, you can add or subtract from your own basics as you wish!]

10 WARDROBE BASICS 

1. T SHIRT

Everyone needs a good T-shirt in black and white, and in whatever shape and size fits them best. I prefer an oversized v-neck, since I find it to be the most versatile shape and it flatters my broad shoulders and tall frame nicely, but really as long as you have an amazing tee that fits you, any shape will do! If you have any old tees in your closet that you never reach for, donate them, get rid of them, you don't need that negativity in your life (or closet).

moto jacket and chucks

2. BLACK SKINNY DENIM

Ok, this is a DUH. And I'm sure I don't even need to tell you how a super skinny, stretchy, high-waisted, super dark, black skinny jean will be the most flattering and versatile pair of pants you own, but then, I just did! this is the pair you need, but I'll tag some affordable options too for you thrifty gals. But I promise you won't regret splurging on premium denim. You'll end up buying ten pairs of cheap jeans anyway so overall you'll spend more if you don't buy premium denim in the long run, ya feel me?!

3. MEDIUM WASH JEANS 

Get these in any fit and any wash that you prefer. I only say medium wash because I feel as though it goes with everything and also is sliiiiightly less casual than a lightwash jean. Of course dark wash will always be the most slimming, but medium will always be the most versatile!

leather moto jacket

4. LEATHER MOTO JACKET

This jacket is my ride or die. I've had it for ever and I wear it often. Try, like 3-4 days a week... In my opinion real leather is superior to faux as it only gets more squishy and buttery as the years go by, and it will last forEVER. But I understand some of y'all are vegan, and if you prefer a synthetic material, I'm okay with it! I also have a few faux leather options in my collection. I'll tag a few of each down below.

5. DENIM JACKET

I really love my Topshop denim jacket, unfortunately it is no longer available, but I do see it come back in stock seasonally on the Nordstrom website time and again! but there are so many other cute distressed styles out there these days, basically every retailer has their own version! Denim jackets will never go out of style and you can even wear them with jeans, you can literally wear them with anything. The darker the denim the more you can get away with. Lighter washes give off a more casual vibe!

6. WHITE BUTTON UP TOP

I'm not going to lie, I have a whole section of these in my closet [I know, I know, this is one of the areas I'm working on]. I've tagged my staples though, these are my favs that never go out of stock and tend to be the ones I reach for the most. You'll find yourself wearing a white button up layered over a graphic tee with your leather moto jacket on top, or to your office job interview with a pair of slacks. There's no limit to how far you can take this piece!

7. LBD [Little Black Dress]

The little black dress. This dress in particular is without a doubt, hands down, my favorite item I own. It is the only thing I can throw on when I literally have NO CLUE what to wear out of the 34,987,349 items in my closet. This dress is magic, and I've work it to everything from a job interview, to a wedding, to the grocery store, to date night. It's seen the world I tell ya! So click on over to Nordy's and buy this dress ASAP. I promise it is worth every penny. If you hate this particular dress, just find another that you feel as passionate about. I won't judge you [too much] for not choosing my favorite. 

8. STACKED HEEL BOOTIE

Stacked heel bootie

A comfortable heeled bootie is KEY. Hands down the most versatile shoe you'll own. If you don't have any, These are my die hards fa sho. They are shoes that look and act like a heel, but feel like a dream in comparison. I can wear my booties all day at work on my feet and not have to change into flats half-way through, which is saying something [low pain tolerance, hah!]. Make sure you own a pair that do you right, girl!

9. BLACK FLATS

These are for when the heels fail you half way through the day. They feel great and look stylish, and they come in a million different styles so you can get whichever look suits you the best! Unfortunately the ones I showed in my video are no longer available but I linked some of the others I've tried and loved as well!

10. BLACK BLAZER

My favorite way to wear a black blazer is with an oversized graphic tee, faux leather leggings, my Nike's and a beanie. Sooooo... NO they aren't just for job interviews anymore. You can wear a blazer with anything, it will totally UP the cool factor of your casual looks! This one is my tried and true! I love that its oversized and a little more casual, yet you can throw it over a dress for a night out too! Obsessed!

We'll that just about sums up our time here today, and just in time too because this post is now VERY long. I had a lot of fun coming up with this series so I hope you enjoy following along! Make sure you subscribe at the bottom of the page so you don't miss any of the articles to come.

If you'd like to watch my video further explaining my picks, here it is: 

Next up.... shoes!

xo

Perfect Plaid Dress For Fall

Happy November!

I love this month, it's Scorpio season, I'm a November baby and I am so in my element this season. Can you believe this year is almost over?! It's been quite eventful to say the least. Had a baby, bought my first ever new car, quit my job to become a stay at home/work from home mom, started blogging full time, the list could go on fo eva! 

My sister and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and shoot some fall looks. It was the first Halloween in 10 years that it didn't rain here in Portland, and it could not have been more perfect outside for photos. We had a lot of fun with this shoot so get excited for some goofy pics mixed in.

This plaid dress has been on repeat lately, and it's super affordable, but almost sold out so hurry! It was a great transitional piece for when it was still warm out and now I can pair it with tights through the fall! I'm also featuring this AMAZING scarf. For some reason it's not available online yet (I'll let you know on Instagram when it is!) so here's a similar one in the meantime! It is actually the softest thing I own, and Stella loves to snuggle into it when I'm holding her, it's too cute! 

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THESE. If you are looking for the perfect bootie, you need these ASAP! I searched for ever for a brown bootie for fall and these fit the bill perfectly! They're also under $90, and extremely comfortable. I just ordered a second pair in black!

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Thanks for reading! Get excited for lots on new fall content com ing your way very soon! 

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Where Have I Been? + Huge Instagram Round-Up!

Soooooo...

I've been gone for a minute, and I'm sure if you follow me on any of my social media outlets you know that I had a baby! I'm sure even if you just follow me through my blog you most likely gathered that was what had happened based on the timeline of my pregnancy updates. Well, I'm back now and I plan to get back on track with a good routine of posting. Now that baby girl is two months old (HOW?!), and Dustin is back at work after his bonding leave, I'm really working hard on getting myself back into a good daily routine with my little one!

I recently went through a little internal conflict with myself and posting pictures of the baby bean on social media. I really want my family to be able to see pictures of her if they aren't able to see her often in person, but I was feeling a slight unease posting her to a public profile with thousands of followers. I've spent the good part of a year growing my social media account and it was a little sad to start over, but it was also nice to begin with a clean slate and have an Instagram account devoted solely to style and my blog. And who knows, maybe some day I'll be more comfortable posting pictures of Stella on my public accounts, but for now you can catch snippets of her in my Instagram stories if you aren't a close friend or family. I've been spending my hiatus working on the beginning growth of this account and if you aren't following me over there, click HERE to head on over and check it out for daily outfit pictures! 

I figured I'd kick off my return with a good ol' Instagram round up! There will be more items linked here versus my ShopStyle account since they don't work with some of the brands I like to wear but I still want you all to be able to buy them even though I won't be gaining any commission out of it. On that note, make sure if you love something that you've seen me wear, click the links I post to purchase it! I only get a small portion of the sale, but now that I'm not working this is my sole income so if you want it and I don't have it link, just ask! I'll send it your way :)

Thank you all for being loyal followers and sticking around, I hope to continue to remain consistent for you all, and feel free to comment on this post and let me know what else you'd like to see in the near future! 

Keep scrolling for the Instagram round up->

Graphic tee and leggings

Topshop TOP, Zella LEGGINGS, Nike Roshe SHOES

gingham tee shirt and yellow mules

Shein Gingham SHIRT, AG JEANS, Sam Edelman SHOES

striped top and distressed jeggings

Asos striped TOP, Express distressed JEANS, Converse SHOES

lace top distressed black jeans and leather jacket

Shein lace TOP, Blank NYC leather JACKET, Express distressed JEANS, Shoes similar HERE

blue off the shoulder top, white jeans and marc fisher espadrilles

Shein off-shoulder TOP, Topshop white JEANS, Marc Fisher ESPADRILLES

gingham top, jeans, and jimmy choos

Shein gingham TOP, Articles of Society JEANS, Jimmy Choo HEELS

asos button up shirt dress
topshop lattice back sweater

Topshop bell sleeve SWEATER, Zella LEGGINGS, Marc Fisher ESPADRILLES

star sweater

Chic Wish star SWEATER, Zella LEGGINGS, Target SHOES

stripes and ruffles off the shoulder top

Shein off shoulder ruffle TOP, Articles of Society JEANS, Shoes [sold out] another emboridered pair I love HERE

pink tiered maxi dress

Topshop denim JACKET, Loft MAXI DRESS, Romwe HANDBAG, shoes [sold out] another pair I love HERE

white button up and platform creepers

Top [sold out] another favorite HERE, Zella LEGGINGS, Chloe HANDBAG, super affordable handbag dupe HERE, Romwe creeper platform SHOES 

striped ruffle sleeve top and booties

Gentle Monster SUNGLASSES, Jcrew top [sold out] similar HERE

star joggers

Karen Walker SUNGLASSES, Blank NYC leather JACKET, Topshop TOP, BooHoo PANTS, Nike SHOES

 

As always, thanks for reading!

xo

Julianne

Summer Whites

My belly button is starting to show haha and yes, I made the rookie mistake of hairband on the wrist. Oops!

I'm totally obsessed with this cute white dress! I'm all about wearing crisp whites in the summer, and this year I'm loving white paired with denim. I ordered this Pink Blush dress in hopes to get it in time to wear to my baby shower, sadly it arrived two days after. That's okay, I still have plenty of time to wear it this summer! The great thing about the maternity dresses from Pink Blush is that they can also be worn after pregnancy and not look like a maternity piece! I know I already talked about this in my last post with this brand, but it excites me that I won't have to store away any of these beautiful dresses that I've gotten from their boutique when the baby is born. I'm totally going to continue wearing them all for as long as I can get away with! All of you non-pregnant babes can get away with wearing these Pink Blush pieces, but I also made sure to link this dress down below, it's one of my favorite white dresses that I own that I wore all the time pre-pregnancy. It's currently on sale for under $50 too!. I've featured this denim jacket before, it's my favorite denim jacket that I've had for going on four years now, and I still pull it out at least once a week. I'm also repeating these espadrilles (ultimate shoes of spring/summer 2017), can't get enough of these babies! Price per wear, totally worth it. Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend! It finally stopped raining here in Portland, and I'm excited to finally be able to go outside and enjoy the sunshine! 

xo

Pink Blush Florals

This week has been anything but eventful. It's Friday and I feel like I've gotten so much done, but I can't really remember DOING anything. Do any of you ever feel that way? Since I left my full time retail job about two weeks ago, I've been keeping busy with blogging full time, but I've also been planning for the baby and the baby shower, grocery shopping and making dinners every night, and keeping up on cleaning which is actually so much more time consuming that I imagined (haha). I really am enjoying not having to go into work anymore, and I can tell my pregnant body is thanking me for not being on my feet for 9 hours in heels anymore as well. 

That being said, I've definitely been putting less effort into my appearance. I've only been putting makeup on if/when I leave the house or when I'm taking pictures. Leggings and a t-shirt have been my go-to uniform unless I'm doing a photoshoot as well. Don't get me wrong, I love saving the extra time in the morning when I'm getting ready, but there's something to say for putting on a little makeup and a cute outfit (at least cuter than leggings) even if you're just staying home. Sometimes I feel this makes me MORE productive, as if I were getting ready to go into work. Also it saves me time later if I do end up having to leave the house for anything. Either way, I'm loving the reduced stress of not working retail and focusing solely on MY passions and what I want to do on a daily basis. I am so fortunate to be able to take this time for me before the baby arrives to reset, and plan. Trust me, I don't take it for granted one bit! 

I took some pictures the other day when it was in the 90's here in Portland. 90's. In MAY. Way too hot, but we found some shade and my sister was so kind to take the time to photograph this blog and the last blog for me. Thanks, Miranda! This cute dress is from Pink Blush, just like the previous post. I can't seem to get enough of their cute maternity dresses, and they definitely are helping me get out of my t-shirt and leggings rut when I just need to wear SOMETHING to feel cute. I've been choosing styles from their site that I know I can wear after pregnancy too, which is part of the reason this dress was so perfect. The tie around the waist will allow me to wear it at my post-pregnancy size, but also through the last few weeks (can you believe it?!) that I'm pregnant. Their clothes aren't just for pregnant mamas either, like I said they can be worn by any size, they just have those added details that make it easier to transition (stretchy material, ties around the waist, etc.) for those like me who will be fluctuating in size quite drastically in the coming months. You can access their website here to see the rest of their cute styles! Also, they're having a 25% off sale for the holiday weekend, site wide! Perfect time to check them out if you've been curious. I also wore these shoes that everyone is always asking about, well they are finally on sale, and under $100! Here is a link to my bag too, I featured this bag in this blog post not long ago, definitely a great affordable designer bag if you don't want to spend thousands!

Hope you all have an amazing weekend! We're gearing up for some birthday fun, and a third day off for Memorial Day! Plus it's supposed to be in the 90's again, woohoo! 

xo

Casual T-Shirt and Camel Cardi

Necklace: BAUBLEBAR, T-shirt: TARGET, Leggings (maternity): TARGET, here are my favorite leggings when I'm not pregnant: NORDSTROM, Cardigan (similar): HERE, Booties: SAM EDELMAN, Bag (a new favorite!): MADEWELL

Today was a full day of baby shower planning and errands! I feel super accomplished, and much less anxious about my baby shower which is only a couple weeks away now. I can't believe how quickly it came up on us... it feels like only a second ago that is was still two months away. Everything about this pregnancy is going by SO fast!

It was so nice outside again today! I wanted to be comfy, but still put together, I threw on a t-shirt and leggings and decided to dress is up with this new layered gold necklace that I just got in the mail, and of course my favorite booties that you've seen a million times already! No shame. This cardigan is old, but I found a similar one for anyone interested, it's linked below! 

Thanks for reading, have a great week!

xo

Yellow Shoes and an Ice Cream Date

Jeans: EXPRESS, Shoes: SAM EDELMAN, bag (under $50!): GLAMOROUS, Top: similar HERE and HERE,

Today I wasn't feeling the greatest, between being almost 32 weeks pregnant and starting my day off with a bad headache, I spent most of the day laying on the couch registering for the hospital and signing up for pregnancy classes. I also got a nice long nap in before Dustin got home from work. He convinced me to get up and go for a walk and ice cream to see if it made me feel any better. DUH ice cream makes everything better! We walked by the river while we ate our ice cream cones, it was so perfect outside! 

I've been looking all over for the perfect yellow shoes that are compatible with my third trimester baby belly getting in the way of buckling or tying anything onto my feet, and these fit the bill. They aren't only easy to put on, they're super comfortable and reasonably affordable! In case you haven't noticed I've been on a shoe buying spree for the past few months since my feet are one of the only parts of my body that haven't expanded to the point that I don't know what to put on them, so shoes, shoes, and more shoes it is!

I'm wearing one of my favorite t-shirt dresses since it is long enough to cover the fact that my pants don't button or zip up (they aren't maternity, obv). I just scrunched it up to make it look like a shirt! Unfortunately it's no longer available, but I'll link some similar options at similar price points. I am so obsessed with these jeans, I got them to wear after the baby was born but I couldn't wait. They are super comfy and stretchy and under $100! 

Can we just talk about this woven bag?! I linked it in my last post as well, but I just can't get enough of it. I love all the color it adds to the most basic outfit and of course the poms are too cute!

I'm going to start dinner now, and then go to bed early. I hope you all are having a great week, thanks for reading!

xo

Orange Off The Shoulder Dress

orange summer off the shoulder dress
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sister picture floral dress and orange dress
sister picture orange summer off the shoulder dress and floral summer dres

I just got home from an exhausting, but really fun weekend spent with family for my cousin's wedding! If you know me personally you've heard all about my struggle to find cute things that fit me that I'll be able to wear through my pregnancy as well as after the baby is born. I'm not totally against maternity clothes, but I do feel like working in fashion and retail that I am lucky enough to have access to many different options and maternity is not the most practical, and usually unreasonably expensive! 

I think I tried on a million dresses trying to find something that fit me and I felt comfortable in for this wedding. I've been gravitating toward form fitting styles as I've been growing in size because it's fun to show off the baby bump, but sometimes it's nice to wear something that is a little more forgiving and more fun than a basic fitted dress!

I saw this orange dress on Instagram a couple weeks ago, and as soon as I found out the price it was a a done deal. I ordered my normal size as it is obviously oversized by nature and it fit perfectly! I wore it off the shoulder all evening long, but somehow I didn't end up with any pictures of me wearing it that way. I liked having the option of wearing it up on my shoulders as well, and it is super cute either way! Nothing better than a versatile piece, right? The color is so perfect for spring/summer and I know I'll probably wear it a ton more as I continue to grow. I loved wearing it so much I think I might even pick it up in another color!

My shoes are these perforated cream block heels that I've been loving and wearing a lot lately. They're SUPER comfortable and I wore them all night long with no problem at all! If you follow me on Instagram you've seen them a million times, but honestly they deserve all the face time, because they are AMAZING. Highly suggest them if you work on your feet a lot but want to wear cute shoes, they fit all the criteria for me! All outfit details are linked below if you're interested.

I hope you all had a great weekend as well!

Thanks for reading

xo

Spring Fashion Trends

Hope everyone is having an amazing week! I was inspired to write this post due to my pull towards these particular trends this year, I thought it would be fun to round up my top 5 favorite spring trends and share them with you all. I'd also love to hear about your favorite trends! Leave me a comment below with trends that you love that I didn't include. Enjoy!

2017 spring trends

 

Showing Some Shoulder

This is my first trend because it is my favorite one! I'm loving the peek of shoulder for spring, especially since we've spend months covered up in knits and jackets. Off the shoulder items are not hard to pull off, as long as you buy the items in your correct size. Pair tops like this with distressed denim or a clean-cut skinny jean. Add a dainty, short necklace like this one or a pair of statement earrings (these are my fav's this year) to create the perfect look. We'll be seeing this trend look more tailored this year vs. last years casual boho vibe. I'm loving the one shoulder look that's showing up this year also! Expect 2017's interpretation of the trend to be more elevated and sophisticated with stripes and shirting details. Here are some purchases I've made for spring, as well as some items that I have in my shopping cart: 

 

The Not So Basic Loafer Slide

This one has been around since last spring, and it is back with a vengeance for 2017! It all started with the Gucci loafer, and this beauty was seen on every blogger and celebrity in 2016. Luckily for us frugal fashionistas, there are a million options this year at a much affordable price, as you've seen on my instagram, I got these Sam Edelman loafers for around $100 (a far cry from the $1,000 price tag of their designer counterparts) and they are just as chic as any other high end brand! I love that this shoe can elevate a basic outfit so quickly without sacrificing comfort (great for prego's like me!) I've included options below that I have, or have my eye on.

 

The Statement Sleeve

Sleeve details are HUGE this spring! Expect to see embellishments such as ruffles, lace, an eyelets. The more dramatic, the better! I myself have indulged in a few pieces with different sleeve details, but my favorite by far has to be this Zara shirt with the tiered, bubble sleeves. Such a unique twist on a basic piece, and it's only $49.90! There are affordable options all over, I've linked more of my favorites below.

 

The Espadrille

We all saw the return of these Chloe inspired espadrilles... the shoe from last spring that sold out so quickly, but is back with a vengeance, and more availability this spring. Of course this trend is expected this time of year, but there looks to be more sophistication in this years options. The once "beach shoe" can now be worn to work in 2017 with the cute styles that have appeared this time around. I've invested in a few pairs already, and I have my eye on a couple more to add to my wardrobe! I've linked them all below... comfort wise you can't beat these flat espadrilles, they are AMAZING, and by far my favorite shoe that I've worn since I've been pregnant! check them out! 

"Athleisure"

The hoodie made it's comeback in 2016 and it is definitely not going anywhere for spring 2017. The "athleisure" trend can be tricky... there's only about one degree of difference in looking like you're headed to spin class vs. headed to Sunday brunch. Put simply, just make sure when you're taking part in this trend that you choose a couple pieces of athletic wear and add some regular classic pieces to normalize the outfit and overall make you look more put together. A great example of this (and an outfit I like to wear often) would be my favorite leggings, a neutral t-shirt, a pair of Nike's, add on a statement bag and a leather jacket or blazer to complete the look. So easy and SO comfortable. But really, this trend is the hardest to mess up. As long as you stick to a mix of both athletic wear and regular clothing in a neutral palette, you'll look effortlessly fashionable! 

 

These are just few of my favorite trends this season! I know there are many popular trends that I didn't include, but I wanted to give you all a snapshot of what I've been wearing and will continue to wear going in to spring! What is your favorite trend? I'd love to hear about the pieces you've been loving for spring! Let me know in the comments below!

 

Thanks for reading!

xo

 

 

How to be Stylish on a Budget

I am by no means an expert at saving money, I am a self-proclaimed shopaholic. As I've been planning for this baby that is coming in just a mere four months, I've realized that I may need to start budgeting myself a little bit better when it comes to buying things for myself, but since I work in fashion I still need to remain somewhat on top of the trends and keep my look as fresh as possible. How does one achieve this, you ask? Well, that's where this list of tips comes in! I spent some time going through my closet today and asking myself about each item. I realized I had a lot in there that I didn't love or hadn't worn in a long time, and then I noticed the pieces that I gravitate towards on a weekly basis... and I noticed a trend. Keep reading through these tips that I put together to create a functional wardrobe, to stay stylish and put together, without breaking the bank!

 

1. SHOP YOUR CLOSET

Before you go shopping, go through your closet and see what you're missing. I like to make mental notes (and even notes on my phone) when I'm getting ready in the morning. If I'm putting together an outfit and multiple times I'm without a key piece, this may be something that I need to buy. This mentality allows you to be intentional when you go to the mall or open up an online shopping site. Always go with a goal in mind of a piece that you know you are missing from your collection and that you NEED, stick to the list, don't stray! 

2. NEUTRALS ARE KEY

Neutrals are so important! It is so easy to be drawn to that beautiful floral dress, or that pink sweater, but when you're getting dressed, there is nothing easier than an all black ensemble! Think about it, this is my go-to look: black skinnies, white t-shirt, leather jacket, and black booties or nikes, so effortless and so chic! Also, all neutrals go together, believe me, any combo of grey, black, white, cream, tan, or brown can be mixed and matched endlessly. Some trendy colors that can be used similarly to neutrals include: olive, blush, and of course navy. 

3. STICK TO A THEME

This could mean anything really, it's all about how you interpret style. If you have all neutrals like me, that could be your theme. If you can't get on with the neutrals and you feel great wearing a particular color, stick with that color palette when you shop and it will be just as easy for you to mix and match and create looks within your theme. A theme could also mean any genre of style, you could buy classic tailored pieces, or more girly pieces, grungy, etc. 

4. THREE OUTFITS RULE

Every once and a while there will be a piece that you fall in love with and can't imagine life without. This happens to me basically on a daily basis (like I said, shopaholic). What I like to do when this happens to me, is think about three different ways that I can wear the piece. How many different items do I already own that I can create different looks with this piece? If I can only think of one outfit, I won't buy it.

5. SAVE ON CLOSET BASICS

This is a big one for me, I went through a phase where I thought it was so important to trade out all my Target tees for Alexander Wang tees. I really thought it would elevate my t-shirt collection and something magical would happen, when in fact, I still ended up wearing my trusty Target tees because the fit was better and they were more comfortable. Moral of the story: when it comes to basics, stick with the inexpensive brands, you'll be wearing them a ton and as long as you take care of them, the label at the top of the collar means nothing. From brand to brand they're often the same materials anyway, you're not even paying for superior quality, you're paying for a label.

PS. no one will know or care if your basic white tee is from Forever 21 or Rag and Bone. 

6. SPLURGE ON CLOSET STAPLES

Where you'll want to save money on your basics, on the other hand, you'll want to invest in some quality closet staples. I love wearing denim and leather jackets so the two items I invest in are premium denim and third pieces (jackets, vests, etc). When you spend a little bit more on quality pieces that you wear a lot, you'll be able to tell the difference in how they feel on your body, and how you look wearing them. Splurge on these items because you'll have them for a long time. Make sure you're paying for the quality and not just the label, look at the care instructions and the materials that the item is made out of, but most importantly make sure you feel amazing in it! Splurge on timeless accessories as well. If you want THAT particular designer bag, save up for it instead of settling for the knock-off or for one you aren't as stoked about. You'll be happier with the item, you'll feel so accomplished for saving up your own money for it, and it will be much higher quality than any other knock-off! Price per wear it will pay off in the long run! 

7. DON'T SPEND ON TREND

Trends are tricky. You'll see bloggers all over Instagram wearing the newest, trendiest pieces, and it's hard not to want them when you're bombarded with a million girls wearing the same new trend. My tip does not include avoid trends all together, just make sure that you are shopping at the right places for these trendy pieces. You won't be happy about dropping $200 on the new fad for it to suddenly go out of style next season (trust me, I've made this mistake before). Shop at discount stores/off price retailers such as Nordstrom Rack, or Saks off Fifth, Forever 21 and H&M are both great for affordable trendy pieces, Zara is also a personal favorite of mine. 

8. WHEN IN DOUBT, DONATE

Clean out your closet as often as you can! I usually go through my closet once a month and get rid of things that I'm unsure about. If it has been 6 months since I've worn an item, bye bye! If the piece is ripped, stained, or damaged beyond repair, toss it. If you don't reach for something because you don't feel confident in it, or don't like how it looks on you, sayonara! Only keep items in your wardrobe that make you excited to get dressed, everything should fit well and make you feel great, no exceptions! Once you start to regularly clean out your closet, you will notice yourself feeling less overwhelmed when getting dressed and more excited about the process. It will also take much less time when you love every piece that you own! You can even make money on items you don't want that are only gently worn. I use Poshmark to sell things that I don't wear anymore, and then I can use that money to budget into buying new pieces that I need!

9. TAKE CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES

Final and most important tip! Take care of your clothes! Lint roll when necessary, iron or steam out the wrinkles every time! Wash and hang dry to extend the life of your clothes (I hang dry everything). Store your clothes correctly, hang them when you can, and stuff your bags with paper to maintain shape. Expensive items can easily look cheap and bad when they aren't cared for correctly. Your Forever 21 top can look just as amazing as your top from Nordstrom as long as you make sure it is clean, and wrinkle free! 

Overall, just be super conscious of what you own, what you love, and what makes you feel amazing! None of these tips are set in stone, they are just what I like to follow as a general guideline, and have worked for me as I curate the perfect wardrobe for my lifestyle and budget!

Happy Thursday! 

xo

 

Here are a few of my favorite basics and current wardrobe staples:

DIY: Raw Hem Jeans

This summer has been the season for DIY denim. Just last week I cut a pair of jeans into shorts since it has been over 100 degrees for a couple days, and I have been struggling to find anything comfortable to wear in this heat (check Instagram to see how they turned out).

The jeans featured in today's post are the same Topshop Leigh jeans I wore in this post: "Black, White, and Alexander Wang." As you'll notice, they are just a tad short on my 5'9" frame (as are most standard 30" inseams). As per usual, I became very impulsive and decided to do an experiment with the bottom hem, as the raw edge is quite the trend these days, and I was hoping that releasing the hem might make them the perfect length. I had no particular plan for this but decided to document the process in the off chance that it turned out okay, which it did! Yay! So here is what I did, with pictures, so if you decide to experiment with your own pair of jeans, you have a guide to follow vs. my impulsive method of jumping in blindly, head-first! 

 

TOOLS:

Jeans!

 Seam ripper (I also used small scissors from a sewing kit which worked great!)

tweezers

Iron, or garment steamer

 

STEP 1. 

Find the perfect pair of jeans to DIY. This could be anything from an old pair that are feeling a little blah, and need a trendy update. You can also use a pair that might be too short (like mine!) since this DIY will add a little extra length to the bottom hem! 

"Cropped" jeans always look like high-waters on me.. 

"Cropped" jeans always look like high-waters on me.. 

 

STEP 2.

Pull on the thread loops of the outside hem with the seam ripper to remover the thread piece by piece. Don't worry too much about making it perfect, we're distressing the hem at the end so any imperfections from the process give it even more character. Use the tweezers to remove any threads that are being difficult. 

 

STEP 3.

Once you've gotten the outside thread removed, the inside thread will be completely unattached, and will easily pull right out (cut the thread where the side seams begin if they aren't easily coming).  

STEP 4.

Using the seam ripper again, remove the threads holding the hem seam to the side seam of the denim. This one can be a little tricky, but once again don't worry about being too careful. I cut my jeans on accident when I was doing this step and it ended up looking intentional with the distressed vibe. 

 

 

STEP 5.

Unroll the hem, and using tweezers, pull threads out around the bottom edge until your desired amount of distressing is achieved! Of course as you wash, and wear the jeans they will slowly distress more and more and become even better with age! 

 

 

 

STEP 6.

The last and final, most important step is to Iron the hem flat! I don't own an iron so I steamed mine, which may not have worked quite as well as an iron would have, but at least they won't curl in on themselves which they otherwise would have sans-steam. 

Voila!

www.juliannerobinson.com/rawhemdiy1

I have to say, for as easy as it was, I'm still proud of how they turned out! 

Hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

xo

Casual stripes + denim dinner date

I've been doing some major deal hunting lately and I found this metallic bag for just under 15 bucks a couple days ago. It's real leather and is a perfect sized tote for everything that I take to work with me on a daily basis. Plus it's unique and one can wear it as a neutral which is a definite asset in my book! 

I paired the look with gold jewelry since I'm still very much enjoying the mixed metals trend!

Tonight I wore this look to tapas with my boyfriend, we sat outside on the waterfront and listened to live music and it was an amazing end to my mid-week "weekend." 

Hope you all have had an amazing week

 

Thanks for reading!

xo

Dress similar here, and similar on sale here, shoes here, chambray top similar on sale here, and here, watch here (on sale!), silver bag similar here

The sweetest wrap dress for summer

IMG_20160726_135457.jpg

This dress is PERFECTION. I was hesitant to buy it because it is so different for me, usually I'm into dark colors, leather, grungy, 90's inspired sort of fashion, but my friend talked me into it and I am so happy she did. This summer is all about muted pastels and neutrals, and I'm slowly growing my collection of pieces within the color palette that are effortlessly chic, but also just plain effortless. 

...I'm slowly but surely teaching my boyfriend to be an instagram husband. I think he's doing great so far!

...I'm slowly but surely teaching my boyfriend to be an instagram husband. I think he's doing great so far!

I paired this dress with an oldie but goodie Topshop jacket that I've had forever, its distressed which is an homage to my grungy personal style, but it is also in a light wash which makes it current and great for summer. It isn't available at the moment but Topshop has released it for a couple springs in a row so I wouldn't be surprised if they brought it back again (I also linked some really similar styles by the same brand, so check those out!) These booties are my trusty BP Trolleys, I have about 7 pairs in different colors and I wear them with 99% of my outfits for work, they are SO comfortable, basically the perfect bootie. 

 

wrap dress here,Topshop jacket similar here, and here, booties here